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Minter Country Garden Media Viewer
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Minter Country Garden
10015 Young Road North
Chilliwack, BC V2P 4V4
Phone: 604-792-3799
Fax: 604-792-8893
Web: http://www.mintergardens.com/
 
ABOUT THE COMPANY
imageCountry Garden has been an important part of the Chilliwack community since 1957 when Brian’s father, Earl, opened and operated a florist shop. In 1972, Brian and Faye purchased the business and expanded it greatly. After 22 years on Hope River Road, they moved the business to a beautiful 18-acre site on Young Rd. in January of 1994.

Faye created the overall layout of the new site with a vision for improving upon the shopping experience of customers both inside and out.

The retail area and main store comprise approximately two acres. In-store areas include: floral, giftware and garden lifestyle, garden pharmacy, tropical, seasonal, herbs, incredible edible, perennial and water plant departments and so much more! We also have our own in-house café, ‘The Callicarpa’. Serving homemade baking, delicious meals and incredible desserts, no visit to the garden center is complete without stopping in!

Outside the main garden center is the nursery, covering a further two acres, and our growing facilities, which cover an additional two acres.

The garden center and grounds are lovely at any time of the year. Encircled by the Coastal Mountains and bordered on two sides by the Shefford Slough, one always feels close to nature at the store. There is always something to see and do with new plants to look at and exciting things to learn. We truly hope you enjoy your experience with us!

 
Describe the size of your operation:
We are a $3 million family owned garden center on 18 acres with 23 peak season employees.  We put the fun in dysfunctional!
What is the size of your market?:
Chilliwack is a community of approximately 70,000 with an average household income of $56,174 (approximately).
Describe the history of the business:
In 1969 Brian Minter and his wife Faye purchased Country Garden and in 1994 moved the business to a much more accommodating 18 acres where it was expanded. Today, guests can enjoy the Callicarpa Garden Cafe, order flowers at the full-service florist shop, or bring the kids by to wander through the Nature Park, Shoppers can also drop in Antiques By Design, Aromatica, and My Little Gift Box, three boutiques that share the space.
What departments do you have: Landscape, growing, retail etc...
Retail and growing facility.
Describe a great idea you have implemented this year:
We offer a free “Landscape session” to clients who are looking for a little extra planning help. This is done after hours, 6-8:30pm Monday & Tuesday evenings (but not during April, May & June) and people are free to take their plan with them. It is informal and not everyone purchases the product from us, but the vast majority do. Mostly Gen X’ers take advantage of this, as they want to do the work. This is not for folks who need a whole new yard done, but are re-working some aspect of their yard.
What is your biggest challenge?
Our biggest challenge is inventory control.  Need to balance the number of varieties we offer with the number of turns they generate and still be THE place to get the best selection.
What has ANLA meant to your business?
ANLA has been a fantastic vehicle for not only seeing how our business fits into the industry as a whole, but also for personal and professional growth. It gives great insight to the challenges that other sectors of the industry face and the effect that may have on retail. Another benefit is the opportunity to connect with folks experiencing the same generational challenges inherent in this industry. (And we’ve met some pretty cool friends, too!)
Minter Country Garden is a proud participant in Hop On The Bus
View Hop on The Bus Now View Teaser Site
 
 
FEATURED CONTACTS
Lisa M.
 
Lisa Minter-Bustin
Born and raised in Chilliwack, I was always involved in the business. My first jobs were sorting pots and applying Osmocote to field stock, later I was promoted to box stapling and then watering. The glamour hasn’t exactly increased with age or experience! I graduated from the University of the Fraser Valley with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1996. Married with two children, Katie (12) and Sam (7). I have had the phenomenal opportunity to grow with ANLA over the years through the Management Clinic Programming Committee, the 2000 Vancouver Convention Committee, a member of the Retail Division Board. They haven’t gotten sick of me yet (or perhaps are too polite to say anything!!)